Today, our volunteer spotlight shines on Molly Austin, Teacher Appreciation Committee Chairperson, Oak Hill Elementary School, Austin, TX.
---
I am part of a committee of three that is our Teacher Appreciation Committee for Oak Hill Elementary, Austin, Texas. I was asked when my older daughter started kindergarten to assist with this committee, and over the years we have refined what we do and how we go about doing it.
We coordinate several events and projects throughout the school year that promote goodwill toward our faculty. We have several luncheons. We create a menu and the recipes, then we send it out to our volunteers so they can make the necessary items for the event. We bring snacks to the faculty meetings. We provide food during the TAKS test days for the teachers, so that they can focus on the testing. During Teacher Appreciation week (first week in May) we create an entire week of activities, luncheons, and other events with the help of our volunteers. This year, we have about 65 volunteers.
What other activities are you involved in as a volunteer or volunteer leader?
I have been actively involved in several roles as a volunteer at Oak Hill Elementary. This year my duties include: Teacher Appreciation Committee Chairperson, Third Grade Room Parent Coordinator, First Grade Room Parent, and a really big task/role of being one of two representatives for Oak Hill Elementary for AISD Facilities Use and Boundaries Task Force. I think so far, that was the most daunting and overwhelming role of being a volunteer.
I have also participated in church activities at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Austin TX. as Craft Chairperson for the past three years of our Vacation Religious Education Program in the summer. This involved attending meetings to prepare for the camp, creating the theme/ideas surrounding the week of camp, and coming up with the craft ideas for that week. I was also in charge of ordering all supplies for the crafts and implementing the crafts when camp was in session, with the help of 10-12 volunteers each day. We taught various craft projects to 250-300 kids, ages 4-14, each day.
How did you get interested in volunteering?
I think it is just part of my nature, or heritage. My parents were very involved in scouting (both my brothers are Eagle Scouts, and my parents both obtained the Silver Beaver Award in Boy Scouting, which is the highest honor as a leader you can receive.) They were very involved in church and community, and my dad was Man of the Year for my hometown because of his volunteer efforts.
I started volunteering at a young age, and have continued to do so. I enjoy helping people out and connecting the dots. If there is a need, and I feel like I can help out I usually jump in without too much thought as to what I am getting myself into.
What’s one piece of advice you have for parent volunteers out there?
Please help out in any way you can. I know lots of people are too overwhelmed or feel inadequate about getting in there and helping out, but whatever you can do to step in at your own comfort level (even the smallest amount helps.) PLEASE do so. Always know that most of the volunteers appreciate any help you give. I appreciate anyone doing the littlest thing to help out, because it is a gesture of getting in there and being a part of your community that makes a difference.
The other thing that I have found out through volunteering is that you make more friends and build a sense of community within your own surroundings.
There are so many ways you can get involved, just take the first step, and I know you will be glad you did!
Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
The webmaster of our PTA site and I began discussing several options last spring, and after doing quite a bit of research, we felt that VolunteerSpot fit all our needs in the most user friendly fashion, so we could be assured of getting the help we needed when we asked for it.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your school, event, or volunteering?
In the past few years, Oak Hill Elementary has become a wonderful community of volunteers. I love being involved with a group of “can do” people always promoting the possibilities of what we can become. I think VolunteerSpot has played a large role in helping us succeed.
---
We salute Molly and all the other volunteer leaders out there helping those in need. If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at [email protected]
